F amilies looking to salvage what’s left of the winter season will want to make their way down to the town ice rink for the fifth annual Granville Winter Carnival this Saturday, Feb. 26.

The carnival, which is sponsored by several local businesses, and organized by Andy Munger, will feature a number of winter activities, games, free food and prizes.

“The root cause of the event is to help facilitate having a ball outdoors during the winter,” Munger said.

The event will begin at 10 a.m. and attendees will be able to spend the rest of the morning frolicking on the snow-covered hills and fields of the Little League Field. Attendees will be able to enjoy sledding on the hill above the warm-up hut, skating on the rink, and for the first time even a little cross-country skiing.

Munger said cross-country skiing is a new addition to the list of activities. “That’s one of the aspects that has grown,” he said. Although anyone who is interested in skiing will have to bring along their own skis or borrow someone’s equipment, those in need of skates needn’t worry.

“We have about a 100 pairs of ice skates that have been donated by community members and local businesses that people will be able to use,” Munger said.

Each pair of those skates has recently been sharpened by Munger who will bring along his skate sharpener and put a fresh edge on anyone whose skates need a little tuning.

Munger said the rink is in great shape. “P.B.A. members have really dedicated themselves to farming the ice,” he said.

After a break for lunch, during which time festival-goers will be able to enjoy free pizza from Bernardo’s, and snacks and refreshments courtesy of the P.B.A., organizers will host a number of games – a hockey shoot-out, time trials, an obstacle course, relay race, and limbo – broken into different age groups. “They’ll be broken down into age groups to accommodate the kids who are there,” Munger said.

One of the highlights of the afternoon is a figure skating demo by Christie Williams. “She’s a competitive figure skater from Lake George. It’s going to be a very neat thing to see someone who has dedicated their time and energy to skating,” Munger explained.

Attendees will also enjoy the Obstacle Course, which has become a crowd favorite. The race will start at 1:40 p.m. and the winner will earn a gift certificate to Ma and Pa’s Restaurant, just one of many prizes that will be awarded. “There’s been a great out-flowing of gifts from community sponsors,” Munger said. Other prizes include gift certificates to Stewart’s Shops and Scotties.

Munger said the warming hut will be open and both bathrooms will be accessible. Admission to the event is free of charge.